Seat adjuster assembly



Sept. 30, 1952 A.fJ. RHODES SEAT ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY 2 SHEETS--SHEET l Filed April 13, 1950 INVENTOR.

Sept. 30, 1952 A. J. RHODES SEAT ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY f 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed April 13, 1950 I I INVENTOR. /Q BE/PTJ/W/ Patented Sept. 30, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SEAT ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY Albert J.-Rhodes, Pontiac, Mich., assignor to American Forging and Socket Company, Pontiac, Mich., ar corporationl of Michigan I Application April 13, 1950, Serial No. 155,730

in Patent No. 2,285,616, dated June 9, 1942, and f issued to Walter L. Saunders and Ray R.'Peter son.

.A yprimary object of the invention is to provide in a device of the character indicated above an improved arrangement of roller balls and reversed but'similiar cross section channel forms whereby greater care of operation and `over-all stability and further economies in fabrication of the channel forms and in the assembling of the device are obtained by elimination of formed ball races and the substitution therefor of both vertical and horizontal line contacts between the balls and the channel forms.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an assembly of the .character indicated having a ball retainer and spacing member associated with each group of three balls whereby the balls are retained in vtransverse alignment and prevented from lagging behind or preceding the center balls, and the center or middle balls are utilized to control the travel of the outer balls and the need for separate stopsfor the outer balls is eliminated, whereby still further savings in fabrication and assembly are obtained, along with smoother adjustment and greater over-all stability of the assembly.

A further important object of the invention is to provide manual carriage locking and releasing mechanism of improved and more eflicient design, which/is more easily ,operable to release position and locks more positively to maintain adjusted positions of the carriages.

Other important objects and advantageous 'features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein, for purposes of illustration only, a specic embodiment of the invention is set forth in detail.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of one of the seat adjuster assemblies embodying my invention,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof, with a seat cushion and back rest shown in dotted lines,

8 Claims. (Cl. 15S- 14) Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken' substantially on lthe line 3-3 of Fig.'2,A

Fig. 4 is'a similar section, with parts broken away of the companion seat adjuster assembly used at the opposite side of a vehicle to complete an adjustable seat support,

Fig. k5 is a fperspective lview of onel of the ball retainer and spacing members used for maintaining three ball bearings in lateral alignment during adjustments of the seat,

' Fig. 6 `is an end view, Fig. 7 a plan view, and

Fig. 8 a side view of the ball retainer and spacing member.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the illustrated vehicle seat adjuster involves left and right hand units A and B, respectively, each having a vertical longitudinal stamping I0 having laterally inwardly projecting portions II on'the lower edges thereof 'for anchoring in suitable manner, not shown, to the vehicle floor I2. The upper-edges of the stamping I IJ have along limited portions of forward parts thereof laterally outwardlyprojecting flanges I3 whose outer edges are formed with longitudinally `4spaced squared notches-I4. l

Mounted on and 'suitably iixed to the upper edges of the stampings I0 over the Vflanges I3 are thetracks I5 which are curved downwardly inga rearward direction, as shown in Figure 2, and consist of die-formed channels having plane bottcm walls I6, plane vertical inner side walls II rising from the laterally inward edges of the bottom walls I6, and plane vertical outer sidewalls I8 rising from the laterally outward edges of the bottom walls I6, the inner and outer rside walls being related to the bottom walls at right angles.

The inner side walls I I are wider than the outer side walls I8 and have rightfangular laterally outwardly projecting planek angesll. on their upper edges. The narrower outer side walls I8 have similar plane flanges 20 on their upper edges which project laterallyinwardlv'on a level below the vflanges I9.

On each track I5 is mounted a pair, consisting of similar front and rear carriages 2| and 22, respectively, which are relatively short as compared to the'length of the track I5 vand are conned to movement along limited forward and rearward portions ofthe track. Each carriage comprises a channel of the same cross sectional.

shape and vdimensions as the trackr I5, having the bottom wall I6', the side walls I1 and I8', and the ilanges I9' and A20', respectively. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the carriage channels are inverted relative to the tracks I5 and are assembled to the tracks with their short side walls I8' between the track side walls I1 and I8 and their wider side walls I1 located laterally outwardly of the outer track side walls I8.

The positioning of the carriage channels on the tracks I is such that the inner side wall anges I9 of the track are vertically aligned with and spaced above the side wall flanges 20 of the carriage channels, and the outer side Wall anges 20 of the tracks I5 are vertically aligned with and spaced above the carriage outer channel side wall flanges I9. The various side Walls and flanges are spaced laterally from each other as well as vertically so that there/are no sliding or abutting contacts between the carriages and tracks. The flanges I9 and I9 and 2U and 2U' are of the same effective width, so that by their positional relationships they form substantially square cross section ball races accommodating the small inner and outer balls 23 and 24, respectivelyy which are of the same size, and are of a diameter to form vertical line contacts with the middle of the .opposed flanges I9 and 20' and 20 and, I9', respectively, and to form horizontal line" contacts with the side walls I1 and I8 and I3 and Il', respectively.` Since the balls 23 and 24 effectively occupy the ball races, both vertical and transverse or sidewise movement of the carriages relative to the tracks I5 is positively precluded, while greater smoothness and freedom of longitudinal movement of the carriages along the tracks is afforded by the small frictional and rolling contact provided by the line contact of the balls.

Bearing the main burdens of the carriages on the tracks are relatively large center or middle balls 25, which are of a diameter to effectively occupy the square cross section ball race defined by the side walls I 8 and I8 and the bottom walls I6 and I6. With this arrangement the large middle vballs 25 have only verticalline contact with `thebottom wallsv I6 and I6 and only horizontalline contact with the side walls I8 and I8 and the large middle balls 25 act in conjunction with the smaller balls 23 and 24 to support the carriages for free longitudinal movement relative to the tracks I5.

Front and'rear headed fasteners 26 and 21, respectively,utilized to secure the tracks I5 to the stampingsv I0 have lheads 28 projecting above the` track bottomwalls-IB, as shown in Figure 2, so as to vact alsoas stops for the larger middle balls, The carriages have forward and rearward headed studs 29 and V30, respectively, projecting upwardly from their bottom walls I6 to securably mount a seat cushion structure. 3I on the carriages 2l and 22. The lower ends of the studs have heads 32 projectingV below' the bottom walls IIBV'" inl approximate vertical alignment with the fastener heads 28v and serve as upper stops for the larger middleballs 25.`

No such upper or lowerstops are provided for the smaller inner and outer balls 23 land 24, respectively, and need for them iseliminated lby the provision of the ball retainer and spacing member 35, shown in detail in4 Figures 5 to 8. T he member 35 consists of a relativelythinsheet of spring metal plate of elongated rectangular form, having a plane middle portion 3B, and curvedly return bent end portionsprovided with planer end portions 31 and 38,l respectively, which are positioned at opposite sides of the middle portion 36 and in parallel spaced relation theretoas shown particularly'well in Figures 5 and 8, inthe relaxed condition of the member 35.

The middle portion 35 is centrally formed with a circular opening 39, slightly larger in diameter than the larger middle ball 25, and diametrically opposed peripheral ball engaging flanges 43, rise from opposite edges of the opening and extend longitudinally on the middle portion 35. The free edges of the end portions 31 and 38 are centrally indented with semi-circular openings 4I and 42, respectively, aligned with the opening 39 and slightly larger in diameter than the inner and outer smaller balls 23 and 24. Ball engaging ears 43, project from opposite side edgesvk of the openings 4I and 42 in directions away from the middle portion 3B.

The `ball retainer and spacing members 35 are placed-between the tracks I5 and carriages 2I and 22, with the larger balls 25 in position in the openings 39 and the Smaller balls 23 and 24 in position in the openings 4I and 42, respectively, so that the balls occupy operative positions in their races between the stops 28 and 32. O-n being placed in position theend portions 31 and 38 of the member 35 are tensioned away from parallelism to the middle portion 33, as shown in Figures 3 and 4so that the member 35 is tensioned by the balls with the middle portion 35 in a diagonalv position, and the middle portion 33 and the end portions'31 and 38 are normally out of contact with the bottom walls IE and I6 and the various flanges of the track I5 and carriages 2l and 22. As a result the three balls are positivelylheld in .transverse alignment across the tracks and carriages and the smaller balls 23 and 24 are prevented from trailing or preceding the larger middle ball 25in any'movement of the carriages along the tracks. Further, the larger middle balls `25 positively control the travel of the smaller balls 23 and 24 and engagement of the middle ball 25with the stops 28 and 32 providedl therefor has the effect of stopping the smaller balls, Iboth as to the travel of the carriages onthe tracks and as to travel of the smaller balls relative to thel carriages.V

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the novel locking means shown comprises, besides the flanges I3 already mentioned as formed with squared notches I4, vertical, longitudinally elongated plates secured as indicated at 46 and 41 to the outer sides of rthe flanges I1 `of the forward carriages 2 l. eralflanges 48 near their rearward ends which havevertical lugs 49 depending from their forward edges. A motion transfer lever 59 is vertically pivotedat 5I on the upper side of the flange 48 and hasY the rearward end thereof operatively connected to a tie rod 52 extending across between the two units A and B. The forward end of the lever 59 has a nose 53 positioned inwardly of the inclined laterally inward edge 54 of verticalcam plate 55 which is horizontally vpivoted, as indicated at 56, on the forward side of the lug.49. The right hand unit B also has a cam plate 55' having van upward extension 54' connected to the tie fred 52. Both cam plates have inwardly projecting terminals 51 arranged to engage in thenotches I4 of the flanges I3 to hold the carriages in selected adjusted positions along the tracks I5. Horizontally pivoted 'at 58 on the plate 45 of the left hand unit A in front of the cam platev 55 is the forwardly declining plate-like lever 59 having a rearwardly projecting nose 63 engaging-n the notch 5I of the terminal 51 of the related cam y. plate 55. Below its pivot the lever 59 has attached thereto the forward end of a contractile spring 52 whose rearward end The plates 45 have horizontal lat- Ais attached vite a depending lear "6l-on the related V`plate 45,/thespr-ing-62 4thereby serving to tension uthe lforward part ofthe `lever 59 downwardly and to tension its nose llill-upwardly andthereby ten- -jsion the -cam yplate d inwardly to engage its fterminalf'l against the edge of the flange I3 and be active to engage inany one of the notches "M the terminal may :become registered with. The cam plate '55 of the lefthand unit YA transmits the `same action 'to 'the cam plate'55 of fthe right hand unit B through the related-motion transfer Alever i513 and the tie rod '52. `The service of the `spring 162 is provided for the right-hand@unit-B by a contractile spring 62' hooked under the ncam plate 55 and over the upper part of the plate "45, -as shown in'Figure 4.

' Thelower end of" the lever x59-`has a forwardly inclined hand lever portion A'5t arranged to be grasped in the hand and raised to disengage-'the terminals ".57 of the cam'plates '55 and 55 vfrom vthe vnotches i4 in the vanges I3 :and thereby facethe seatstr-ucture 3! to-be adjusted'forwardly or rearwardly along the tracks I5 in't'hefusual -mannerby a person seated-thereon.

:.What is claimed is:

1. In an adjustable support foraseat or the vlike, a track A'having a bottom wall 'and apair of V"laterally spaced upwardly projecting sidewalls forming a channel therebetween,-alaterally'projecting race formingflange on each side wall and extending in 'the vsame direction wherebyone vflange overhangs said .bottom wall andthe other flange projects 'laterally `outwardly -`from said 'channel, la carriage shaped similarly to-said track `and inverted with its race forming flanges underhang-ing and aligned with vthe'oorresponding race vforming flanges of said'track to provide-'outer fraces, said bottom walls-being vertically -vali-gned to provide a middle `race between said outer races, 4outer balls confined insaid outer races, vafiniddle ball confined in said middle race, and an yS- shaped ball retainerand spacer having its terminal portions embracing said outer balls and Aits intermediate portionembracing'said middle ball and holding said outer-balls and'saidinner ball lspaced from each other and in alignment across said trackiand carriage. Y

2. In an adjustable support for a seat or the like, a track havinga bottom'wall and a'pair of vlaterally spaced upwardly projecting side :walls :forming a channel therebetween, a laterally projecting race forming ange on each side wall and extending in the same direction whereby one flange overhangs said bottom wall and the other flange `projects laterally outwardly from said channel, a carriage shaped similarly to said track and inverted with its race forming flanges underhanging and aligned with the corresponding race forming flanges of said track to provide outer races, said bottom walls being vertically aligned to provide a middle race between said outer races, outer balls confined in said outer races, a middle ball confined in said middle race, and an S- shaped ball retainer and spacer having its terminal portions embracing said outer balls and its intermediate portion embracing said middle ball and holding said outer balls and said inner ball spaced from each other and in alignment across said track and carriage, said ball retainer and spacer being supportably mounted on the balls and maintained thereby out of contact with said track and said carriage.

3. In an adjustable support for a seat or the like, a track having a bottom wall and a pair of laterally spaced upwardly projecting side walls T6 forming -a-channeltherebetween', a laterally fprojecting race forming flange lon each sidewall and yextending in 'the csameadirection whereby one Ailange overhangssaid bottom `wall and `the other flange yprojects I laterally outwardly .-:from ysaid nchannel, arcarr'iage shaped similarly to ksaid track andinverted .with its race formingflanges under- `hangingand aligned with the corresponding race "forming flanges o'f :said track 'to provi-de outer races, said bottom wallsbeing :vertically yaligned to provide aimiddle race between said-outer races, outer balls confined in said outer races, a middle 'ball confined in-said middle race, and an .S-

shaped ball retainer and spacer having its terminal portions embracing said outer balls and its intermediate portion :embracing said middle :ball vland holding said outer balls and said innerball spaced from each other and vin alignment `across `said track vand carriage, said ball retainerand vspacer :being supportably .mounted on the balls `andmaintained thereby out of contact with :said

track and said carriage, longitudinally spaced stopih-eads projecting upwardly `from the bottom :wall .of said track inline with said middle ball for. engagementby :said middle ball to limit end- Awise movement of said carriage relative 'to said track in Aopposite directions.

= ry`4. 'fIn an adjustablefsupport `for a seat .or'the like,.a track having-.abottom wall and `a, pair of laterally spaced upwardly projecting side walls yforming a channel'therebetween, a laterally Yprojectingra'ce formingflange on `each side walland 4andinverte'd withits Vraceiforming flanges under- ;-hanging and `aligned with the corresponding race :forming flanges vof said track to providezouter races, said `bottom walls being vertically aligned n to providea middle race between. said outer-races,

outer balls confined in saidouterraces, amiddle ball .confined insaidmiddle race, and a ballretainerrand spacer having portions embracing said router balls vand said1middle ballfand holdingsaid vouter balls and said iinner ball .spaced from each other .and in alignment Vacross said track and :.carriage, 4said Lball retainer and spacer beingtsup- .-.portably mounted on. the ballsxand maintained vthereby out ,of contact'with'said track :andsaid carriage, said vloall retainer and spacer comprising a spring metal plate having a plane middle portion formed with a circular opening providing edges retainably engaging said middle ball, oppositely directed end portions at opposite sides of said middle portion formed with openings providing edges retainably engaging said outer balls, said end portions being tensioned relative to said middle portion in opposite directions.

5. In an adjustable support for a seat or the like, a track having a bottom wall and a pair of laterally spaced upwardly projecting side walls forming a channel therebetween, a laterally projecting race forming flange on each side wall and extending in the Isame direction whereby one flange overhangs said bottom wall and the other flange projects laterally outwardly from said channel, a carriage shaped similarly to said track and inverted with its race forming flanges underhanging and aligned with the corresponding race forming flanges of said track to provide outer races, said bottom walls being vertically aligned to provide a middle race between said outer races, outer balls confined in said outer races, a middle ball confined in said middle race, and a ball re- S7 tainer and spacervhaving portions embracing said outer balls and said `middle ball and holding said outer balls and :said inner ball spaced from each vother and in alignmentacross said track and carriage, the aligned race forming flanges being .plane and parallel, `said side walls and said bottom walls being plane and parallel whereby the outer races and said middle race are of polygonal cross section each bounded by four angularly relatedplane surfaces' with'which the balls are in vertical and horizontal -line contact.

6. In an adjustable support for av seat or the like, a track having a bottom wall and a.l pair of laterallyspaced upwardly projecting side walls forming a channel therebetween, a laterally projecting race'forming flange on each -side walland extending in the same direction whereby one ange 'overhangs said bottom wall and the other ange projects laterally outwardly from said channel, a carriage shaped similarly to said track and inverted with its racefforming anges un'- derhanging and alignedwith the corresponding race forming flanges of said trackto provide outer.' races, said bottom walls `being vertically aligned to provide a'mi'ddle'r'ace between said ,outer races, outer balls coniined in said outer lraces, a middle ball confined in said middle race,

and a ball retainer and spacer having portions embracing said outer ballsand said middle-ball and holding said outer balls and'said innerball n spaced from each other and in alignment across said track and carriage, said ball retainerand spacer being supportably mounted on the balls Which the balls are in vertical and horizontal line contact, respectively.' l

7. In combination with af movable seat structure including a carriage, a track structure including a raceway for slidablysupporting `said carriage thereon, vsaid track` structure having `a laterally projecting flange," said iiange being -formed with longitudinally spaced notches, and

locking means mountedv on the adjacent side of said carriage, a lock member having a terminal engageable in any selected one of said notches so as to preclude endwise movement of said carriage relative to said track, and spring means tensioning said lock member inwardly, said locking means further comprising a forwardly extending hand lever mounted on said carriage having a handle arm and another arm, a cam plate pivoted on said carriage with which said other arm is operatively engaged, said hand lever being manually swingable from a, retracted position against the tension of said spring means to a release position on which said lock member is retracted from notch engaging position and permits free endwise movement of said carriage relative to said track.

8. In combination with a movable seat structure including a carriage, a track structure including a raceway for slidably supporting said carriage thereon, said track structure having a laterally projecting ange, said flange being formed with longitudinally spaced notches, and locking means mounted on the adjacent side of said carriage, a lock member having a, terminal engageable in any selected one of said notches so as to preclude endwise movement of said carriage relative to said track, and spring means tensioning said lock member inwardly, said locking means further comprising a forwardly extending hand lever mounted on said carriage having a handle arm and another arm, a cam plate pivoted on said carriage with which said other arm is operatively engaged, said hand 1ever being manually swingable from a retracted position against the tension of said spring means to a release position on which said lock member is retracted from notch engaging position and permits free endwise movement of said carriage relative to said track, and a motion transmitting lever pivoted on said carriage and operatively engaged with said lock member for transmitting the motion of said lock member to another lock member on another carriage.

, ALBERT J. RHODES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,285,616 Saunders et al June 9, 1942 2,540,125 KOlkS Feb. 6, 1951 

